Electrical advertising device



Oct. 20, 1936. K. HENGEL 2,053,312

ELECTRICAL ADVERTISING DEVICE Filed May 51, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 '.A% lI; i TRANSPARENT Oct. 20,1936. K. HENGEL 2,058,312

ELECTRICAL ADVERTISING DEVICE Filed May 51, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.5

Patented a. 20, 1936 PATENT OFFICE nucc'raronr. anvr-mrrs'ma; DEVICEIiarl Henge],

Application V In Germany 18 Claims.

' This invention relates. to iluminated signs, more particularly tosigns for display purposes, and has among others for its major objectthe provision of a sign of this character which is simple and'cheap inconstruction and operation and adapted to fully simulate the well-knownhighly attractive and catching efiect of signs using gaseo'us dischargetubes, such as the well known neon signs, but without the disadvanl0.tagesand deficiencies of the latter; such as the high initial andoperating costs, the necessity of using high electric operatingvoltages, and other well known disadvantages. I

It is an object of this invention to provide an imitation sign of thecharacter described in which the sign emblems consisting of 'atranslucent and unbreakable material are arranged and illuminated insuch' a manner that they appear freely suspended in space andself-luminescent in such a manner as to fully simulate-the eiIect of agaseous discharge tube such'as the wellknown neon signs.

One of the disadvantages of neon tube signs is the fact that it isdifficult or in most cases impossible to change the sign such as byexchanging the letters or figures in order to vary the character of thesign. I

Accordingly it is a further object of my invention to provide a luminoussign of the character described in which the individual emblems may beexchanged or replaced in an easy and simple manner and the character-ofthe sign varied as desired.

A further object of the a luminous sign of the type described which canbe easily moved from one place to another without the danger of breakageor requiring the removal of heavy accessory apparatus as in the case ofthe known neon sign devices. a

Another object of the invention is to provide a luminous sign whichretains its advertising efiect during the daytime when the source ofillumination is shut off.

The invention has further objects in view which will appear hereinafterin connection with the following'detailed description taken withreference to the accompanying drawings'wherein I have illustrated a fewpractical embodiments of a luminous sign device in accordance with the50 invention. r j with the above objects in view the inventionprincipally involves the arrangement-of one or more sign emblems such asletters, figures, etc.,

freely suspended in space and consisting 01' a 5 suitable translucentand preferably unbreakable invention is to provide May 31, 1934, SerialNo.728,375

June 6, 1933 material such as celluloid and the like and means forilluminating said emblems from the rear by means of a suitable source oflight being invisible in the normal viewing direction in such a mannerthat they appear to be self-luminescent by irra- 5 diation. To increasethe illusion of a neon tube, the edges of the emblems are preferablybent in a rear-ward direction to enhance the impression of plasticity aswill be described in greater detail hereafter.

In the drawings Figure 1 represents a perspective rear view of a form ofanadvertising sign according to the -invention. j I

Figure 2 is a front view of the device shown by 15 Figure 1. Figure 31sa cross section taken along line A-B of Figure 2.

Figure-4 is a perspective view of a single letter for main the noveladvertising device according 20 to the inventions? Figure 5-represents amodification of the arrangement according to the previous figures with anarrow luminous band or line below the row of letters. 25

Figure 6 shows the advertising device according to Figure 5 as seen fromthe rear.

Figure '7 shows a further modification of the novel device adapted for.the simultaneous illumination of articles displayed in showwindows 30and the like. I

Figure 8 shows a modification according to the invention as applied to amoving display sign.

Figure 9 is a section along line E--.F of Figure 8. According to, theconstruction illustrated by 5 Figures 1 to 31 have shown an elongatedbox or case I housing a source-of light 2 in the form of a tubular bulbsuch as a tungsten lamp or a gaseous electrical discharge lamp, which isinvisible in thenormal viewing direction of the 4 device. The front wall3 of the box I is provided with a slot or channel 5 formed by alongitudinal rail 4; and serving for the mounting of the letters 6 whichappear to be brightly luminescent throughthe illumination from thesource of light 45 2. In order to better utilize the light emitted bythe source of light, a metal reflector I is provided in the box I,reflecting the rays against the indi-.

vidual' freely supported letters 6 and in partlcu- H lar against theupper half of said letters.

The, rear wall 8 of the supporting case or box I is adapted to be swungdownward. such as by means of hinges 9 and forms a light-screen, leavinga narrowslot It at the top for the emission of the light. The slot I0 isof such width,

that with a definite location of the lamp 2 solely rays will be emittedfrom the box I in the direction of the letters 6. Through thisarrangement any disturbing side-light, which would unneces-' sarilyilluminate the dark space surrounding the letters 6 such as a. darkshow-window and thereby impair the illuminating eifect of the letters,is shut oil. If it is desired, however, to utilize the light emitted bythe source of light 2 at the same time for the illumination of thespace, this can be done in a simple manner by moving the light screen 8in a downward direction. In order to avoid the disturbing appearance ofthe upper edge II of the rear wall 8 of the box when looking at thedevice from above in an inclined direc-- tion, the edge I2 is shown tobe at a lower level than the upper edge l2 of the front wall 3 of thebox For a better utilization of the light emitted by the incandescentlamp 2 a transparent sign is preferably inserted in the front wall 3 ofthe box receiving its light from the said source of light simultaneouslywith the letters 6. In order to make sure that the letters 6 will appearto luminesce under the actionof the light, they are made of atransparent unbreakable material, such as celluloid, cellulose acetate,synthetic resin or the like substances suited to act like self-luminouselements under the influence of incident light and available on themarket.

In particular bright-colored, milky opaque materials exhibit a highilluminating effect, in which the fundamental substance is highlytranslucent and the coloring matter is distributed therein as flnely inas possible condition and with not too great a density. The coloringmatter proper should be highly adapted to let the light pass through andlikewise possess a high brillancy. Since the letters made of suchunbreakable material as celluloid, acetyl cellulose, synthetic resin orthe like, the arrangement of the illuminating elements in a free andself-supporting manner as shown so highly inferior in the knownarrangements such as neon discharge tubes ofiers no longer any danger ofbreakage or other damage.

The letters 6 as pointed out consist only of the portions forming thesign or symbol proper, that is to say, there are no adjacent portions ofthe material, or portions embraced by parts of said letters, there is norear wall or inclined surfaces in the rear of said letters, as such isthe case with one known arrangement for the direction of the light. Theportions" enclosed by the letters 6 or by parts thereof thereforerepresent perforations. In view of this construction the letters appearto luminesce under the incident light action of the rays and will standoff in a particularly marked way to the observer, conveying to thelatter the impression of selfluminous elements. The whole arrangementdue to the individual self-contained mounting of the letters or similarsymbols and due to the absence of any. non-luminous parts presents ahighly plastic appearance giving the illusion of a neon tube or similargas discharge device.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a single letter adapted for use in thenovel electrical display device. The edges of the letter are bentrearwardly giving the letter a good stability and making it possible touse very thin material, as shown in the drawings. When using thinmaterial the loss of light passing through the letter -is very small andan intense lighting effect may be obtained by means of a small lightsource. Besides the luminous plastic effect of the elements is increasedthrough this embossing or bending ofthe edges of the letters in arearward direction. The bent edges of the letters furthermore whenilluminated from below produce a shading effect of the luminouselements, resulting in a further increase of their plastic effect orsolid appearance. It is desirable to prevent the formation of disturbingcast-shadows when the light will enter under a highly acute angle. Thismay be accomplished by a construction whereby the horizontal lowerflanged portions l5 project rearwardly to a lesser degree than thevertical flanged portions 6 and the horizontal upper flanged portionsIT. The lower extension l8 constitutes the mounting means for the letterin the slot 5 of the case If red or orange-coloredmaterial is used forthe letters, it is possible to obtain the impression as if theadvertising sign consists of neon tubes. This impression is stillenhanced to a high degree, if the letters or other advertising symbolsare combined and underscored, by long narrow luminous bands, which mayconsist either of real gaseous electric discharge tubes or means tocreate the impression of a gaseous discharge tube as disclosed by theinvention. An embodiment of a device of this type is shown in Figures 5and 6.

Here an underscoring luminous band 24 is provided on the front wall 2|of the case 22 below the row of letters 23.

This luminous band is formed in that the front wall is provided with anarrow longitudinal slot 25, into which is inserted a narrowsemi-circwlarly bent strip 26 of celluloid, or the like, with its convex surfacepositioned towards the front. This strip 26 is illuminated in the samemanner as the letters 23 through the rays of the common source of lightarranged behind the wall 2|, so that it will look like a luminous bodyand simulate a gaseous discharge tube. This impression is still enhancedby the curvature or convexity towards the front of the said strip. Asthe luminous band 24 will be illuminated simultaneously by the source oflight 21 for the letters or symbols, the source of light 21 is utilizedto a still higher degree. At the same time the luminous band provides anadded attraction to the observers or passers-by.

For this purpose, that is to say, in order to emphasize the lettersilluminated by a separate source of light and to increase the neon-tubelike impression thereof, the luminous band may also consist of astandard gaseous electrical discharge tube, operated by known means, inwhich case the transformer may be also accommodated in the box 22. Inlieu of one single luminous band according to this invention a pluralityof such bands may be provided as is readily understood.

According to the construction shown by Figures 5 and 6 a base plate 28is connected with the front wall 2|, to which is secured a light screeen29 which may be swung in a backward direction in a manner similar asdescribed by Figure 1.

. The front wall 2|, the base plate 28 and the screen 29 form a box-likeunit 22, which may be swung about the elongated foot or support 30 bymeans of hinges 3|. In this manner the angle of observation of thedisplay m y be changed- The broken line 32 in Figure 5 indicates theinclined position of the letter carrier 2|, by tuming it backwards. Inorder to render possible a movement of the box 22, the elongated base 30viewing direction.

is provided with a recess 32. The lead 33 serves for the supply of theoperating current.

Figure '7 shows a further embodiment of a dis play device for thesimultaneous illumination oi opening 39 for the exit of light for thepurpose" of illuminating the articles or the like displayed in theshow-window. The emission of light-from the upper slot 31 is such, thatonly the row of letters 38 will just be uniformly lighted, so that theupper portion of the show-window will remain as dark as possible,causing the luminous letters 38 to emerge most markedly from the darkback-ground. Into the front wall of the case 35 there may be insertedyet a transparent sign portion 40 or a luminous band of the kindreferred to above.

With the construction according to Figures 8 and 9 the novel advertisingdevice is designed-in the manner of the known advertising devices withtravelling text.

, The independent transparent luminous letters 4| are secured to anendless band or belt 42, passing over rollers 43 and drivendn knownmanner by an electric motor not'show'n. The letters are illuminatedunder an angle from below, in the same manner as already explained, bymeans of a source of light 44, not visible in the normal As theseletters consist of very light material, as described hereinbefore, theywill be easily carried by the conveyor band 42 without specialarrangements, so that the construction of the apparatus is very simple.

When mounting the novel advertising device in a dark or approximatelydark room (showwindow) the rays emitted by the source of light notimpinged on the letters or symbols to be 11- luminated, may cause adisturbing accidental light on the walls or the ceiling of the room. Inorder to eliminate the disturbing action of thisaccidental light, thesame color is imparted to the" light as that of the letters or symbolsto be illuminated by a separate source of light.

Thus, for instance, inthe event of using incandescent, lamps a lightfilter is placed in front of the lamps, or even the whole lamp may beprovided with a corresponding coating of color.

I claim:

1. A luminous sign comprising insignia constituted by portions oftranslucent sheet-like material, a support, said insignia having oneedge secured to an edge of said support and extending therefrom andprotruding beyond said support, a source of light invisible in thenormal direction of observation of said sign and adapted to irradiatesaid insignia from the rear at an oblique angle to impart to them theappearance of luminescence similar to gaseous electric dischargedevices.

2. A luminous sign comprising a support, sign insignia constituted byportions of a translucent sheet-like material, said insignia having oneedge thereof secured to an edge of said support and extending upwardlytherefrom and protruding 'above said support, a source of lightconcealed by said support from the observer in the normal viewingdirection, a reflector for said source adapted to throw light of saidsource obliquely from the rear onto said insignia to impart to Oppositethe slot 39 on the a gaseous electric discharge devicea,

said light source.

them the appearance of luminescence similar to luminous gaseousdischarge devices.

- 3. A luminous sign as claimed in claim 1 in which said elementsconsist of: a cellulose acetate. material.

4,. A, luminous sign comprisingelements forming the insignia of the signconstituted by cutout portions of translucent sheet-like material, saidelements, being provided with rearwardly bent edgeportionswith regard tothe direction of observationor said sign, a source of light invisible inthe normal direction ofobservation of said sign and adapted to irradiatesaid elements from the rear at an oblique. angle to impart to them theappearanceof luminescence similar to 5. A luminous sign as claimed inclaim? including -a base for said support and means for swinging saidsupport about said base for vary.- ing the viewing direction of saidsign. 6. A luminous sign comprising a casing, a plurality' of elementsforming theinsignia of said Sign constituted by portions of translucent'sheetupon the front edge of said casing so as to stand up freelytherefrom in the normal direction of pbservationof said sign and atransparency supplementing said sign insignia and arranged in the frontwall of said casing andilluminated by g '7. A luminous sign comprising asupport,.a plurality of elements forming the insignia of said signconstituted by cut-out portions of a sheetlike translucent material, asource of light concealed .by said support in the normal direction ofobservation of said sign to illuminate said elements obliquely from therear and to cause them to appear self-luminous by irradiation,saidelements having one edge'secured to the front edge of said supportand extending upwardly therefrom and protruding above said support,-anda transparency supplementing said. sign insignia carriedby said supportand being illuminated by said light source.

8. A luminous sign comprising a-casinggaplurality of elements formingthe symbols'of: said sign constituted by cut-out portions of a sheetliketranslucent material, a source of light'iwithin said casing, an openingin said casing adapted to pass light from said source to illuminate saidelements obliquely from the rear and to cause them to appearself-luminous by irradiation, said elements having one edge mounted uponthe front edge of said casing so as to stand olf therefrom when viewedin the normal direction of observation of said sign and a transparencyarranged in the front wall of said casingalso illuminated by said lightsource, said transparency'consisting of a strip of translucent materialconvexly bent in a forward direction and covering "a slot in the frontwall of said casing sign, and further means for swiveling said supporttovary the viewing direction of said sign.

10. A luminous sign comprising a support, sign elements forming thesymbols of said sign con-' stituted by portions of translucent coloredsheetlike material and having one edge secured to an edge of saidsupport and extending upwardly therefrom and protruding above saidsupport, a source of light concealed by said support in the normalviewing direction of said sign and adapted to illuminate said elementsfrom the rear obliquely to impart to them the appearance'ofself-luminescence, the color of said light being substantially similarto the color of said elements.

11. A luminous sign comprising a support,

-. translucent elements shaped to form symbols of said sign and havingone edge thereof secured to said support and extending upwardly from andprotruding above said support, and a source of light irradiating saidelements from the rear obliquely relative to the viewing direction ofsaid sign and concealed by said support from theobserver in the normalviewing direction of said sign from in front of said support.

12. A luminous sign of the character described comprising a support,sign elements forming the symbols of said sign constituted by portionsof translucent sheet-like material and having one edge exchangeablysecured to the front edge of said support and extending upwardlytherefrom and protruding above said support, a source of light concealedby said support, a reflector to project a beam of light from said sourcewith an opening angle to substantially cover and illuminate saidelements I obliquely from the rear obliquely to .impart to them theappearance, of luminescence.

13. A luminous sign of the character described comprising a box-likesupport, sign elements forming the symbols of said sign beingconstituted by cut-out portions of translucent sheet-like material, saidelements having one edge exchangeably mounted upon the front edgeof saidsupport to stand off therefrom when viewed in the normal direction ofobservation of said sign, a source of light in said box, a reflector insaid box, said box having a slot-like opening adapted to project a beamof light from said source and reflector having a predetermined openingangle to substantially cover and illuminate said elements from the rearobliquely to impart to them the appearance of self-luminescence, and atransparency comprised of a strip of translucent material of convexcross-section with regard to the direction of ob- 'servation of saidsign similar to said elements covering a slot in the front wall of saidbox, said transparency being also illuminated by said light source.

14. A luminous sign of the character described comprising a support, asign element forming the symbol of said sign constituted by a cut-outporcomposed of sheet-like translucent material and having edges bentrearwardly with regard to the normal viewing direction of said sign; asource of light invisible in the normal viewing direction and adapted toirradiate said symbols from the rear to imparttto them the appearance ofself-luminescence, said symbols being mounted to said support so as toappear freely suspended in space to imitate the appearance of gaseousdischarge tube signs.

16. A luminous sign comprising a casing, a plurality of substantiallytranslucent elements shaped to form display characters and having theirbases secured to the front of said casing to extend upwardly from andprotrude above said casing, and a source of illumination mounted in saidcasing concealed from direct observation in the normal viewing directionof said sign from in front of said casing and adapted to irradiate saidcharacters from the rear obliquely relative to the viewing direction ofsaid sign through a light outlet in said casing behind said characters.

17. A luminous sign comprising a casing, a

transparent display panel in the front wall of said casing, a pluralityof substantially translucent 7 elements shaped to form displaycharacters and having their bases secured to the front of said casing toextend upwardly from andprotrude above said casing, and a source ofillumination mounted in said casing adapted to illuminate said displaypanel and to irradiate said characters from the rear obliquely relativeto the normal viewing direction of said sign from in front of saidcasing through alight outlet in said casing behind said sign.

18. A luminous sign comprising a casing, a plurality of translucentelements shaped to form display characters and having their basessecured to the front of said casing to extend substantially verticallyfrom and protrude above the top of said casing, a source of illuminationmounted in said casing irradiating said characters from the rearobliquely relative to the viewing direction of said sign from in frontof said casing through a light outlet in the top of said casing, saidsource being concealed from direct observation when said sign is viewedin a substantially horizontal direction from in front of said casing.

KARL HENGEL.

